Dearborn MI vs Mobile AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Mobile, AL
Alabama · Population: 185,097
- Median HH Income$51,090
- Median Home Price$197,044
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Dearborn
107,846
Mobile
185,097
Mobile +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dearborn
N/A
Mobile
N/A
Median Age
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Mobile
37.7
Foreign Born
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
Mobile
3.8%
White
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Mobile
39.9%
Black
Dearborn
3.3%
Mobile
52.9%
Mobile +
Asian
Dearborn
2.0%
Mobile
2.1%
Mobile +
Hispanic
Dearborn
3.0%
Mobile
3.1%
Mobile +
Spanish at Home
Dearborn
N/A
Mobile
N/A
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,846 | 185,097 | Mobile + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.7 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 29.4% | 3.8% | Dearborn + |
| White | 88.0% | 39.9% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 3.3% | 52.9% | Mobile + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 2.1% | Mobile + |
| Hispanic | 3.0% | 3.1% | Mobile + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Mobile
$51,090
Per Capita Income
Dearborn
$29,900
Mobile
$32,893
Mobile +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dearborn
$58,052
Dearborn +
Mobile
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Dearborn
6.8%
Mobile
5.9%
Mobile +
Poverty Rate
Dearborn
24.3%
Mobile
18.9%
Mobile +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
Mobile
31.5%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,192 | $51,090 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,900 | $32,893 | Mobile + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $51,690 | Dearborn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Mobile + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.3% | 18.9% | Mobile + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.3% | 31.5% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dearborn
$248,262
Mobile
$197,044
Mobile +
Homeownership Rate
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
Mobile
51.4%
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,262 | $197,044 | Mobile + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 51.4% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
471
Mobile
400
Mobile +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
Mobile
1734
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 400 | Mobile + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1734 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Mobile
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Mobile
17.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dearborn
21.5%
Mobile
17.3%
Mobile +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Mobile
10.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
17.1%
Mobile
13.1%
Mobile +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dearborn
18.2%
Mobile
14.9%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 40.0% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 17.0% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.3% | Mobile + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.1% | Mobile + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.9% | Mobile + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
50.1°F
Dearborn +
Mobile
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
Mobile
65.3 in
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.1°F | 67.4°F | Dearborn + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.9 in | 65.3 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Mobile
8.8 µg/m³
Mobile +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dearborn
55.0%
Mobile
75.0%
Mobile +
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Mobile + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Mobile + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dearborn
22.8 min
Dearborn +
Mobile
24.5 min
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Mobile, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.8 min | 24.5 min | Dearborn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while mobile offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $197,044. On public safety, Mobile is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Mobile has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Mobile has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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